Population in Namibia
Namibia: Population was 2.96 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
2.96 million people
Change on year
up 2.5%
World rank
140th
of 239 countries
All-time high
2.96 million people
in 2023
All-time low
93,535 people
in 1000
Years of data
241
1000–2023
Population in Namibia, 1000–2023
Source: HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2023, population in Namibia stood at 2.96 million people. That is the highest value across all 241 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.5% on the previous year and up 31.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Namibia peaked at 2.96 million people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 93,535 people, in 1000.
That places Namibia 140th out of 239 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in Namibia, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 93,535 people | — |
| 1100 | 100,464 people | +7.4% |
| 1200 | 107,906 people | +7.4% |
| 1300 | 115,899 people | +7.4% |
| 1400 | 124,484 people | +7.4% |
| 1500 | 133,705 people | +7.4% |
| 1600 | 143,609 people | +7.4% |
| 1700 | 154,247 people | +7.4% |
| 1710 | 161,148 people | +4.5% |
| 1720 | 168,386 people | +4.5% |
| 1730 | 175,979 people | +4.5% |
| 1740 | 183,945 people | +4.5% |
| 1750 | 192,304 people | +4.5% |
| 1760 | 201,078 people | +4.6% |
| 1770 | 210,288 people | +4.6% |
| 1780 | 219,958 people | +4.6% |
| 1790 | 230,112 people | +4.6% |
| 1800 | 229,000 people | -0.5% |
| 1801 | 225,966 people | -1.3% |
| 1802 | 222,971 people | -1.3% |
| 1803 | 220,017 people | -1.3% |
| 1804 | 217,101 people | -1.3% |
| 1805 | 214,225 people | -1.3% |
| 1806 | 211,386 people | -1.3% |
| 1807 | 208,585 people | -1.3% |
| 1808 | 205,821 people | -1.3% |
| 1809 | 203,094 people | -1.3% |
| 1810 | 200,438 people | -1.3% |
| 1811 | 197,782 people | -1.3% |
| 1812 | 195,161 people | -1.3% |
| 1813 | 192,575 people | -1.3% |
| 1814 | 190,024 people | -1.3% |
| 1815 | 187,506 people | -1.3% |
| 1816 | 185,021 people | -1.3% |
| 1817 | 182,569 people | -1.3% |
| 1818 | 180,150 people | -1.3% |
| 1819 | 177,763 people | -1.3% |
| 1820 | 175,407 people | -1.3% |
| 1821 | 173,083 people | -1.3% |
| 1822 | 170,790 people | -1.3% |
| 1823 | 168,527 people | -1.3% |
| 1824 | 166,293 people | -1.3% |
| 1825 | 164,090 people | -1.3% |
| 1826 | 161,916 people | -1.3% |
| 1827 | 159,770 people | -1.3% |
| 1828 | 157,653 people | -1.3% |
| 1829 | 155,564 people | -1.3% |
| 1830 | 153,503 people | -1.3% |
| 1831 | 151,469 people | -1.3% |
| 1832 | 149,461 people | -1.3% |
| 1833 | 147,481 people | -1.3% |
| 1834 | 145,527 people | -1.3% |
| 1835 | 143,598 people | -1.3% |
| 1836 | 141,696 people | -1.3% |
| 1837 | 139,818 people | -1.3% |
| 1838 | 137,965 people | -1.3% |
| 1839 | 136,137 people | -1.3% |
| 1840 | 134,333 people | -1.3% |
| 1841 | 132,553 people | -1.3% |
| 1842 | 130,797 people | -1.3% |
| 1843 | 129,064 people | -1.3% |
| 1844 | 127,353 people | -1.3% |
| 1845 | 125,666 people | -1.3% |
| 1846 | 124,001 people | -1.3% |
| 1847 | 122,358 people | -1.3% |
| 1848 | 120,736 people | -1.3% |
| 1849 | 119,685 people | -0.9% |
| 1850 | 119,203 people | -0.4% |
| 1851 | 119,393 people | +0.2% |
| 1852 | 120,149 people | +0.6% |
| 1853 | 121,470 people | +1.1% |
| 1854 | 122,806 people | +1.1% |
| 1855 | 124,157 people | +1.1% |
| 1856 | 125,522 people | +1.1% |
| 1857 | 126,902 people | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 128,297 people | +1.1% |
| 1859 | 129,708 people | +1.1% |
| 1860 | 131,133 people | +1.1% |
| 1861 | 132,575 people | +1.1% |
| 1862 | 134,032 people | +1.1% |
| 1863 | 135,505 people | +1.1% |
| 1864 | 136,994 people | +1.1% |
| 1865 | 138,500 people | +1.1% |
| 1866 | 140,021 people | +1.1% |
| 1867 | 141,560 people | +1.1% |
| 1868 | 143,115 people | +1.1% |
| 1869 | 144,687 people | +1.1% |
| 1870 | 146,277 people | +1.1% |
| 1871 | 147,884 people | +1.1% |
| 1872 | 149,508 people | +1.1% |
| 1873 | 151,150 people | +1.1% |
| 1874 | 152,810 people | +1.1% |
| 1875 | 154,488 people | +1.1% |
| 1876 | 156,184 people | +1.1% |
| 1877 | 157,899 people | +1.1% |
| 1878 | 159,632 people | +1.1% |
| 1879 | 161,385 people | +1.1% |
| 1880 | 163,156 people | +1.1% |
| 1881 | 164,947 people | +1.1% |
| 1882 | 166,758 people | +1.1% |
| 1883 | 168,588 people | +1.1% |
| 1884 | 170,438 people | +1.1% |
| 1885 | 172,308 people | +1.1% |
| 1886 | 174,199 people | +1.1% |
| 1887 | 176,110 people | +1.1% |
| 1888 | 178,043 people | +1.1% |
| 1889 | 179,996 people | +1.1% |
| 1890 | 181,970 people | +1.1% |
| 1891 | 183,966 people | +1.1% |
| 1892 | 185,984 people | +1.1% |
| 1893 | 188,024 people | +1.1% |
| 1894 | 190,086 people | +1.1% |
| 1895 | 192,170 people | +1.1% |
| 1896 | 194,278 people | +1.1% |
| 1897 | 196,408 people | +1.1% |
| 1898 | 198,561 people | +1.1% |
| 1899 | 200,995 people | +1.2% |
| 1900 | 203,718 people | +1.4% |
| 1901 | 206,737 people | +1.5% |
| 1902 | 210,061 people | +1.6% |
| 1903 | 213,697 people | +1.7% |
| 1904 | 217,396 people | +1.7% |
| 1905 | 221,159 people | +1.7% |
| 1906 | 224,987 people | +1.7% |
| 1907 | 228,881 people | +1.7% |
| 1908 | 232,842 people | +1.7% |
| 1909 | 236,826 people | +1.7% |
| 1910 | 240,833 people | +1.7% |
| 1911 | 244,862 people | +1.7% |
| 1912 | 248,913 people | +1.7% |
| 1913 | 252,985 people | +1.6% |
| 1914 | 257,124 people | +1.6% |
| 1915 | 261,330 people | +1.6% |
| 1916 | 265,605 people | +1.6% |
| 1917 | 269,950 people | +1.6% |
| 1918 | 274,135 people | +1.6% |
| 1919 | 278,697 people | +1.7% |
| 1920 | 283,647 people | +1.8% |
| 1921 | 289,000 people | +1.9% |
| 1922 | 294,767 people | +2.0% |
| 1923 | 300,962 people | +2.1% |
| 1924 | 307,287 people | +2.1% |
| 1925 | 313,745 people | +2.1% |
| 1926 | 320,339 people | +2.1% |
| 1927 | 327,071 people | +2.1% |
| 1928 | 333,945 people | +2.1% |
| 1929 | 340,906 people | +2.1% |
| 1930 | 347,953 people | +2.1% |
| 1931 | 355,089 people | +2.1% |
| 1932 | 362,313 people | +2.0% |
| 1933 | 369,626 people | +2.0% |
| 1934 | 377,087 people | +2.0% |
| 1935 | 384,698 people | +2.0% |
| 1936 | 392,463 people | +2.0% |
| 1937 | 400,385 people | +2.0% |
| 1938 | 408,467 people | +2.0% |
| 1939 | 416,627 people | +2.0% |
| 1940 | 424,866 people | +2.0% |
| 1941 | 433,183 people | +2.0% |
| 1942 | 441,579 people | +1.9% |
| 1943 | 450,053 people | +1.9% |
| 1944 | 458,689 people | +1.9% |
| 1945 | 467,492 people | +1.9% |
| 1946 | 476,463 people | +1.9% |
| 1947 | 485,607 people | +1.9% |
| 1948 | 494,926 people | +1.9% |
| 1949 | 504,644 people | +2.0% |
| 1950 | 514,598 people | +2.0% |
| 1951 | 520,398 people | +1.1% |
| 1952 | 526,639 people | +1.2% |
| 1953 | 533,236 people | +1.3% |
| 1954 | 540,017 people | +1.3% |
| 1955 | 547,091 people | +1.3% |
| 1956 | 554,566 people | +1.4% |
| 1957 | 562,592 people | +1.4% |
| 1958 | 571,341 people | +1.6% |
| 1959 | 580,927 people | +1.7% |
| 1960 | 591,473 people | +1.8% |
| 1961 | 603,074 people | +2.0% |
| 1962 | 615,760 people | +2.1% |
| 1963 | 629,592 people | +2.2% |
| 1964 | 644,539 people | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 660,568 people | +2.5% |
| 1966 | 677,663 people | +2.6% |
| 1967 | 696,051 people | +2.7% |
| 1968 | 715,551 people | +2.8% |
| 1969 | 736,125 people | +2.9% |
| 1970 | 757,876 people | +3.0% |
| 1971 | 780,588 people | +3.0% |
| 1972 | 804,411 people | +3.1% |
| 1973 | 828,932 people | +3.0% |
| 1974 | 854,325 people | +3.1% |
| 1975 | 881,041 people | +3.1% |
| 1976 | 906,574 people | +2.9% |
| 1977 | 931,118 people | +2.7% |
| 1978 | 947,277 people | +1.7% |
| 1979 | 962,826 people | +1.6% |
| 1980 | 981,440 people | +1.9% |
| 1981 | 992,508 people | +1.1% |
| 1982 | 1.01 million people | +1.8% |
| 1983 | 1.04 million people | +2.7% |
| 1984 | 1.07 million people | +2.7% |
| 1985 | 1.10 million people | +2.9% |
| 1986 | 1.13 million people | +3.1% |
| 1987 | 1.17 million people | +3.3% |
| 1988 | 1.21 million people | +3.6% |
| 1989 | 1.29 million people | +6.6% |
| 1990 | 1.37 million people | +6.2% |
| 1991 | 1.42 million people | +3.4% |
| 1992 | 1.46 million people | +3.2% |
| 1993 | 1.51 million people | +3.2% |
| 1994 | 1.56 million people | +3.2% |
| 1995 | 1.60 million people | +2.9% |
| 1996 | 1.65 million people | +2.7% |
| 1997 | 1.69 million people | +2.6% |
| 1998 | 1.73 million people | +2.6% |
| 1999 | 1.78 million people | +2.5% |
| 2000 | 1.82 million people | +2.4% |
| 2001 | 1.86 million people | +2.1% |
| 2002 | 1.89 million people | +1.8% |
| 2003 | 1.92 million people | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 1.94 million people | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 1.97 million people | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 1.99 million people | +1.3% |
| 2007 | 2.02 million people | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 2.05 million people | +1.4% |
| 2009 | 2.08 million people | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 2.11 million people | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 2.15 million people | +1.7% |
| 2012 | 2.19 million people | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 2.25 million people | +2.6% |
| 2014 | 2.31 million people | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 2.37 million people | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 2.44 million people | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 2.51 million people | +2.8% |
| 2018 | 2.58 million people | +2.8% |
| 2019 | 2.65 million people | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 2.73 million people | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 2.81 million people | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 2.89 million people | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 2.96 million people | +2.5% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 2.96 million people is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 12.20 million people, 24% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 2.96 million people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 14.26 million people, 21% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 93,535 people | 93,535 people | 93,535 people | 1 |
| 1100s | 100,464 people | 100,464 people | 100,464 people | 1 |
| 1200s | 107,906 people | 107,906 people | 107,906 people | 1 |
| 1300s | 115,899 people | 115,899 people | 115,899 people | 1 |
| 1400s | 124,484 people | 124,484 people | 124,484 people | 1 |
| 1500s | 133,705 people | 133,705 people | 133,705 people | 1 |
| 1600s | 143,609 people | 143,609 people | 143,609 people | 1 |
| 1700s | 154,247 people | 154,247 people | 154,247 people | 1 |
| 1710s | 161,148 people | 161,148 people | 161,148 people | 1 |
| 1720s | 168,386 people | 168,386 people | 168,386 people | 1 |
| 1730s | 175,979 people | 175,979 people | 175,979 people | 1 |
| 1740s | 183,945 people | 183,945 people | 183,945 people | 1 |
| 1750s | 192,304 people | 192,304 people | 192,304 people | 1 |
| 1760s | 201,078 people | 201,078 people | 201,078 people | 1 |
| 1770s | 210,288 people | 210,288 people | 210,288 people | 1 |
| 1780s | 219,958 people | 219,958 people | 219,958 people | 1 |
| 1790s | 230,112 people | 230,112 people | 230,112 people | 1 |
| 1800s | 215,817 people | 203,094 people | 229,000 people | 10 |
| 1810s | 188,899 people | 177,763 people | 200,438 people | 10 |
| 1820s | 165,309 people | 155,564 people | 175,407 people | 10 |
| 1830s | 144,666 people | 136,137 people | 153,503 people | 10 |
| 1840s | 126,655 people | 119,685 people | 134,333 people | 10 |
| 1850s | 123,761 people | 119,203 people | 129,708 people | 10 |
| 1860s | 137,812 people | 131,133 people | 144,687 people | 10 |
| 1870s | 153,722 people | 146,277 people | 161,385 people | 10 |
| 1880s | 171,454 people | 163,156 people | 179,996 people | 10 |
| 1890s | 191,244 people | 181,970 people | 200,995 people | 10 |
| 1900s | 219,630 people | 203,718 people | 236,826 people | 10 |
| 1910s | 259,443 people | 240,833 people | 278,697 people | 10 |
| 1920s | 311,167 people | 283,647 people | 340,906 people | 10 |
| 1930s | 381,471 people | 347,953 people | 416,627 people | 10 |
| 1940s | 463,750 people | 424,866 people | 504,644 people | 10 |
| 1950s | 545,140 people | 514,598 people | 580,927 people | 10 |
| 1960s | 657,040 people | 591,473 people | 736,125 people | 10 |
| 1970s | 865,497 people | 757,876 people | 962,826 people | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.10 million people | 981,440 people | 1.29 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.58 million people | 1.37 million people | 1.78 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.95 million people | 1.82 million people | 2.08 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.36 million people | 2.11 million people | 2.65 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.85 million people | 2.73 million people | 2.96 million people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More population data for Namibia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.6736 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1475 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 3,780 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.52 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4525 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Population density 7.16 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 357,079 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Namibia?
- Population in Namibia was 2.96 million people in 2023, according to HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population recorded in Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 2.96 million people in 2023.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 93,535 people in 1000.
- How does Namibia rank for population?
- Namibia ranks 140th out of 239 countries with data for 2023.
- Is population rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Namibia data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 241 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Population by country, available from 10,000 BCE to 2023, based on data and estimates from different sources.